Hong Kong Ballet’s interactive Creative Ballet in Practice Project commenced September 2017 with the Creative Ballet Programme Introduction Session at six local primary schools. Vency Kwok, the Company’s Education & Community Outreach Manager, spoke about Hong Kong Ballet and the eight-month project to over 2,500 students, who learned about Le Corsaire’s background, plot line, choreographer, composer and costumes. Participants also had the opportunity to play the roles of various main characters in Le Corsaire, and everone was treated to a lively dance demonstration, which included solo variation and Pas de Deux by Company dancers Naomi Yuzawa, Lauma Berga, Fu Yiyang, Ayano HaneishiI, Lai Pui Ki Peggy, Garry Corpuz, Forrest Rain Oliveros and Henry Seldon. After the performance, the dancers taught eager students basic ballet steps with accompanying music and props and spoke about their ballet experience. The visits were extremely well received, as evidenced by the encouraging response of the students and by the enthusiastic praise from their supportive teachers and principals.

Following the visits, the students began their own creative journey – creating an instructive mini ballet production based on Le Corsaire. Over the next few months, they will participate in basic ballet training, hands-on costume workshops and backstage production sessions, culminating in a finale performance of their own making. We can’t wait to see what they will have in store for us!

Le Corsaire Creative Ballet in Practice Project is part of the 2017/18 School Performing Arts in Practice Scheme, initiated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and presented in partnership with Hong Kong Ballet.